Vice President Joe Biden emphasized the issue of income inequality to a gathering of major donors and activists Friday night , telling them Democrats will work to address it to help working people , an attendee at the event told CNN .

The remarks came during a reception for a coalition of liberal organizations called Democracy Alliance .

Biden told the gathering that income in the United States is the most unequal it has been since the 1920s , according to an attendee , who spoke to CNN on the condition he not be identified since it was a private event . Income inequality appeared to be a priority for this audience , and has been a key focus for such leaders as Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Massachusetts , who received a warm welcome when she spoke to the group Thursday .

The vice president said key Democratic policies and philosophies resonate among Americans . The party had a good message ahead of the most recent election , which ended with Democrats losing seats in the House and losing control of the Senate , but its leaders did n't speak loudly enough to push it , Biden said , according to the source .

Not all of the vice president 's remarks went over well , including his telling the group that Americans still prefer Democrats despite the electoral drubbing .

`` No one responded , '' said the source .

Much of Biden 's talk Friday was personal in nature . He got emotional , according to the participant , when he recounted how his father could not get a loan for him to attend an Ivy League university -- and he said people in such situations need the country 's help .

Biden talked about how his children have followed him into public service , despite it not being not the most lucrative profession . He joked he almost wishes he had a Republican kid so that `` his retirement would include a window with a view , '' the attendee quoted him saying .

He also got some laughs and applause recounting how he told then-Sen . Barack Obama -- when he accepted his offer to be his running mate in 2008 -- that he would not change his brand , a seeming reference to his reputation for outspokenness and occasional verbal missteps . The former Delaware senator said he speaks his mind and will continue to do so .

Biden did not talk about whether he 'd run for president , something that he has been openly considering . Nor did he mention the hot-button issue of immigration reform , even as the Obama administration prepares executive action to prevent the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants .

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Vice President Joe Biden addressed major donors and activists , attendee tells CNN

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He stressed the importance of addressing rising income inequality

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His remarks were well-received , but he did n't speak about his own 2016 intentions

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`` No one responded '' when he said Americans still prefer Democrats , attendee says